Go west

Abu Dhabi is continuing its investment push beyond the municipal borders of the UAE's capital.

The latest pledge of development money has gone to the Al Gharbia region. With US $2.2 billion (AED8 billion) earmarked for everything from infrastructure to dwellings and even abattoirs, this represents another opportunity for contractors to secure long-term government-backed work.

Plans include the renovation and creation of more than 3000 traditional houses, the construction of a 500KV power station in Madinat Zayed and the development of more than 93,000m² of parkland, spread across Madinat Zayed, Bainoona, Al Marfa, Mizeriaa and in Ghayathi. The parkland work alone is valued at $78 million.

The announcement of these plans comes just a few months after similarly expansive ideas for Al Ain were revealed. Initial works there will construct a district centre, including educational, healthcare, leisure and commercial developments and will be done on a build-operate-transfer basis. Tenders for International Capital Trading's Al Ain Oasis project are expected to open in Q4 of this year.

Infrastructure too is being boosted with the Mafraq - Ghweifat International Highway expected to be completed in 2014. At a cost of $2.7 billion the 327km highway will link Mafraq to the border post with Saudi Arabia at Ghweifat. Elsewhere the Taweelah Aluminium Smelter is another considerable undertaking aimed at industrial diversification. With an estimated cost of $10 billion the 6 km2 complex will be constructed in two phases, the first of which is expected to be completed in 2010.

The pattern is clearly established. The need for economic diversification is being paired with efforts to stimulate growth in the regions and encourage the spread of the emirate's economic bounty. Contractors can be some of the first to benefit.

On the CW agenda for Abu Dhabi is the newly merged Building Sustainability into the Middle East conference, and the GreenBuild exhibition and training series. The combined event will take place on 25 & 26 October in Abu Dhabi's Crown Plaza Hotel.

Stuart Matthews is the senior group editor of ITP Business.

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